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People First of Athens to host chili cook-off

“Don’t ‘Dis’ our ‘Ability,’ ‘Dis’ the ‘Attitude’” is the motto of People First of Athens, an organization made up of people with disabilities who speak up for themselves to gain equal rights.

The group will host a chili cook-off from noon to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Multiple Choices, 850 Gaines School Road, to help raise funds to send its members to the state People First Conference in October.

“The state conference is about bringing disability issues to light,” said Kim Keeney, chapter president for People First of Athens. “This year, the focus will be on employment for those with disabilities.”

Recent U.S. Department of Labor statistics for 2009 show that 19.2 percent of disabled people in the United States were employed, compared to 64.5 percent of those with no disability, despite the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.

“We want to attend (the conference) so our voices can be heard,” Keeney said. “We want to collaborate with other chapters in Georgia. People with disabilities are the largest minority, and yet we are often the last ones to be heard. By being part of the state conference, the members of People First of Athens can be part of something much bigger than they are.”

The chili cook-off will serve several different types of chili, cornbread and drinks. All of the food will be prepared by the members of People First of Athens. A voter registration table to raise awareness about the importance of voting rights for the disabled also will be set up at the cook-off.

The Athens chapter of People First has been organized for 15 years and allows individuals with disabilities to have a community of support that they would not have otherwise.

“We are a cross-disability organization. This means that we serve all types of disabilities and we are a volunteer organization,” Keeney said. “It is about creating change for people with disabilities that will improve our lives.”

“They are People First, not a disability,” Keeney went on. “The members of People First of Athens are not looking for a handout or pity. In actuality, all we are looking for is the equal opportunity to become productive members of society.”

Tickets to the chili cook-off are $5 each. All proceeds will go to the State Conference Fund to allow members of People First of Athens to have a voice.